changes at cloud 10

Creative Houston ice cream shop closes Upper Kirby location and scoops up new Museum District spot

Cloud 10 Creamery is making changes.

Courtesy of Cloud 10 Creamery

Acclaimed Houston ice cream shop Cloud 10 Creamery is mixing things up. The company’s Shepherd location will close December 30 as part of a plan to relocate to the Parc Binz mixed-use development in the Museum District in late 2023.

Led by pastry chef Chris Leung, Cloud 10 currently operates ice cream shops in Midtown, the Heights, and Katy. Each ice cream flavor features a different base, and chef Leung makes any mix-ins in house. Its roster of 20 year round flavors and seasonal specials includes Cafe Sua Da, Nutella with Marshmallows, Fresh Mint Chocolate Chip, and Brown Sugar Cookies & Cream.

Opened in May 2019, Cloud 10 initially intended the Shepherd Drive location as a replacement for its original home in Rice Village, but sales have suffered from the ongoing street construction in the area, Cloud 10 partner Christopher Balat tells CultureMap. The opportunity to move to the Museum District should be beneficial, particularly given the building’s proximity to the Children’s Museum, Houston Zoo, and other family-friendly attractions.

“We feel like there was a lack of dessert options in the area,” Balat says.

In his role as a real estate developer, Balat is currently building Parc Binz II across the street from the original Parc Binz building at 1800 Binz. Like its sibling, the new building will have retail tenants on the ground floor with offices above. Plans call for the possibility of a rooftop restaurant as well.

The current Cloud 10 location at 3502 S. Shepherd Dr. will become a coffee shop that has existing locations in Houston and Dallas, Balat adds. Although he declined to name the specific company, it will be revealed closer to its opening in early 2023.

Cloud 10 fans have a little over a week to make one last visit to the Shepherd store. Meanwhile, all Cloud 10 shops are offering $2 off to-go pints with the purchase of a scoop (limit one discount per pint). Diners also have the opportunity to order holiday ice cream pies through Wednesday, December 21.

closings ice-cream openings news-you-can-eat

The Audrey's premiere

Hollywood-inspired Houston restaurant sets Uptown opening date

Photo by Ben Brown

The Audrey serves decadent seafood towers.

A restaurant inspired by a glamorous Hollywood icon is ready to make its debut. The Audrey Restaurant & Bar will open on Wednesday, August 5 at Aspire Post Oak, a 40-story luxury high-rise at 1616 Post Oak Blvd.

Part of Culinary Khancepts, the hospitality group behind Liberty Kitchen, State Fare, the River Oaks Theatre, and others, the Audrey occupies almost 5,500 square feet on the building’s first floor. The restaurant seats about 160 people, dividend between a bar and lounge, main dining room, outdoor patio, and private dining areas.

Owners Denise and Omar Khan worked with Laura Loreman Interior Design Studio to bring elements of Audrey Hepburn’s signature style to the restaurant’s interior. Details include Tiffany blue interiors, crystal chandeliers, gold accents, floor-to-ceiling windows. An Audrey Hepburn-inspired mural and floral installations greet diners as they enter.

On the culinary side, the restaurant will serve the same menu of contemporary American fare that’s served the original location well since it opened in The Woodlands three years ago. That includes pastas, sandwiches, steaks, and seafood towers. Signature items include: citrus scallops with fennel-orange salad, truffle mushroom ravioli, and beef Wellington. The popular “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” brunch will also be served at the new location.

Mayahuel chef Luis Robledo Richards designed the Audry’s dessert menu. Winner of Latin America’s Best Pastry Chef in 2019 and a judge on Netflix’s baking competition show Sugar Rush, the chef’s menu includes chocolate cake, mascarpone cheesecake, and coconut panna cotta.

"Opening in Houston has always been part of our vision for The Audrey," Omar Khan said in a statement. "The response to our Woodlands location confirmed what we hoped — that guests were looking for a restaurant where exceptional food, genuine hospitality and timeless design come together naturally. Audrey Hepburn represented elegance, warmth and kindness, and those values continue to inspire every detail of the guest experience.”

Photo by Ben Brown

The Audrey serves decadent seafood towers.

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